Beyoncé Drops Out of 'A Star Is Born'

Beyoncé Knowles has backed out of a role in director Clint Eastwood's remake of A Star Is Born, Variety reports. This news comes after production was delayed for the singer-actor's pregnancy. Eastwood took an acting gig on Trouble With the Curve during that hiatus. And somewhere in there, at the Republican National Convention, he spoke to an empty chair meant to represent President Obama.

Knowles was set to play the role Barbra Streisand last limned in the 1976 version as the promising young performer who falls in love with an older fading star, played by Kris Kristofferson in that version.

Jon Peters, Bill Gerber and Basil Iwanyk are producing the remake, with Will Fetters penning the most recent script.

Studio insiders said that with Knowles now off the project, there has been interest, at least from Eastwood's end, in jazz musician Esperanza Spaulding. Sources emphasized, though, that until the male lead is locked, no discussions or offers will be out to the female lead.